Neglect Definition

nĭ-glĕkt
neglected, neglecting, neglects
verb
neglected, neglecting, neglects
To ignore or disregard.
To neglect the advice of others.
Webster's New World
To fail to care for or attend to sufficiently or properly; slight.
To neglect one's family.
Webster's New World
To fail to carry out (an expected or required action) through carelessness or by intention; leave undone.
Webster's New World

To fail to care for or attend to something.

To neglect duty or business; to neglect to pay debts.
Wiktionary
To omit to notice; to forbear to treat with attention or respect; to slight.
To neglect strangers.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
noun
neglects
The action of neglecting.
Webster's New World
The state of being neglected.
Webster's New World
Lack of sufficient or proper care; negligence; disregard.
Webster's New World
The action or status of failing to care for or to maintain something.
Webster's New World Law

Origin of Neglect

  • From Latin neglÄ“ctus, perfect passive participle of neglegō (“make light of, disregard, not to pick up"), a variant of neclegō, itself from nec (“not") + legō (“pick up, select"). Recorded since 1529, as noun since 1588.

    From Wiktionary

  • Latin neglegere neglēct- neg- not ne in Indo-European roots legere to choose, pick up leg- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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